Couscous Salad w/ Cucumber, Tomato, Mint, & Goat Cheese

I don't know what it is about couscous...but I love it. The mouth-feel of it. The distinct taste of the little pasta granule. I really do think it has a taste of its own. Odd? I find it comforting.

Plus, it's another one of those you-can-do-so-many-things-with-it foods. You can use it as a side dish or an entree. And honestly, most often? I find myself considering it an entree. Even when I make it my favorite way...simply tossed with a healthy handful (okay two) of freshly grated Parmesan. I don't know what it is about it, but I have to limit myself from eating a whole pot full that way. Tossing it with veggies...cooked or raw...is another great way to turn it into a main course salad. And just by switching up the add-ins and seasoning, it can be a different meal each time.

Funny thing, though. My husband despises couscous. Ummmm...what!? What in the world is there to hate about it? Really. I wanna know. He can't answer why...but it appalls him. I try to reiterate the fact that he's nuts by insisting that he loves pasta and couscous is simply mini pasta. Doesn't change his mind. Weird. Whatever. I'm almost too embarrassed to say that this feeling has trickled down and infected my oldest child. Two and three couldn't care less one way or the other...and nobody feels the love I do.

So yes. Usually I wind up making a couple servings. One for me now. One for me later. None for them.

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Couscous Salad w/ Cucumber, Tomato, Mint & Goat Cheese

by Heather Schmitt-González

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Keywords: boil salad side couscous vegetables

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Ingredients (serves 2)

¾ c. couscous

1 c. boiling water

~1 c. sundried tomatoes packed in oil or slow-roasted cherry tomatoes

½-1 seedless cucumber, chopped

1-2 scallions, sliced

¼ c. fresh mint leaves, chopped

~1½ Tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice

zest of half a lemon

olive oil, as needed

~½ c. goat cheese

sea salt

freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Put couscous in a large bowl and pour boiling water over. Add a good drizzle of the oil from the tomatoes, plus ~¼ tsp. salt and a few grates of black pepper. Stir and cover. Let sit for ~5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Once couscous has cooled down a bit, add cucumber, scallions, mint, and lemon juice. Toss. Stir in lemon juice and a bit more oil from the tomatoes or some olive oil. Season and adjust seasoning, if needed.

Dollop goat cheese on top and stir gently. Grate some lemon zest over the top. Enjoy!

Well, great minds think alike because I chose this recipe for this week's theme too. I have a million bags of couscous in my pantry. I'm glad to see you added the goat cheese...it wouldn't be a meal without it! Ha ha:) Looks delicious!

My family feels the same about couscous (quinoa, roasted beets,...). So, like you, I find myself making a dish for me and stashing it in the fridge to eat for lunch the rest of the week. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

I want to love couscous - I love every other kind of pasta, no matter how small - but for some reason couscous always tastes a bit like play-doh to me. Doesn't stop me from cooking it from time to time though - heavily seasoned!

None for them, more for you sounds like a pretty good deal to me! We are couscous eaters here. For some reason we like to eat it alongside fish. When The Boy was a toddler, couscous was one of only 4 things he would eat. Man-oh-man was that a mess to clean off the floor.

I feel exactly the same way about couscous, but luckily my husband and son love it too. This salad looks really fresh and delicious. I like the addition of the sun dried tomatoes, and the mint sounds wonderful too.

I love couscous too - you are exactly right - it does have a "mouth-feel" that is unique. I often make couscous for a main dish - I love it especially with some roasted veges tossed through it - and I always make enough for leftovers the next day.xo

I have to confess that i have never had couscous in my life! I'm sorry, but it never looked so good as it does know. So making a dish with couscous is high on my to do list, now. Thanks for helping me stepping out of my cooking comfort zone!

Your pictures are awesome and I'm in love with this salad. I like couscous, have the same problem with the hubby not liking it, but sometimes I've been able to hide in, like in soup, and he eats it without knowing :) I love everything in this salad though and I want some right now!

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